President/CEO - NY

Position type: Full Time

Position Profile

Credit Union Information

Located in Buffalo, New York, the Buffalo Postal Community Federal Credit Union, is a $55 million credit union with over 8,700 members and three branches. Established in 1935 to provide quality financial services to members sharing a common bond, the Buffalo Postal Community FCU is a non-profit organization owned and operated by its members. The Board of Directors is elected by the members, and represents them as the policy-making body of the credit union.

Founded as a credit union for postal workers, today the credit union is open to anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in Erie County, in addition to anyone who is employed by one of the credit union’s 30 Select Employer Groups. It is Buffalo Postal Community FCU’s belief that long-term relationships are built on trust and respect, and believes that in providing exceptional service to its members, that the credit union earns that trust and respect.

The Buffalo Postal Community Federal Credit Union is committed to helping its members achieve their financial goals by offering quality financial products and services at competitive prices. The credit union offers members the latest in technology as well as a full menu of products for members and businesses, including all types of lending, access to a licensed financial advisor, 24-hour account information by phone or internet, bill-paying, checking, various saving accounts, as well as IRAs, insurance and VISA.

Mission:
Achieving Your Dreams Together Since 1935. The Buffalo Postal Community Federal Credit Union…we are ‘People Helping People!’

Responsibilities

The Buffalo Postal Community FCU is seeking its first President/CEO. As the credit union has grown and branched over the years, there is now a need for a visionary, professional individual with the ability to lead and grow the credit union. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the President/CEO is a key leadership position responsible for planning an directing all credit union activities in accordance with credit union policies as established by the Board, as well as setting business-related strategic direction. He/she will also be responsible for ensuring financial stability commensurate with the best interest of the members, the employees, the credit union, and the community.

Additional CEO responsibilities include leading, guiding, and coaching the staff to provide the highest quality of member service, and providing strategic direction, vision, leadership, and management in all functional areas. Directly reporting to this position are the three Branch Managers, Staff Accountant, Marketing Director, & IT Administrator.

• Directs all credit union operations, including strategic planning, recommending, and implementing programs, policies, and procedures, and providing general administrative direction, once approved by the Board of Directors.
• Maintains an open, honest relationship with the Board by attending Board meetings, reporting on the activities of the credit union, and making periodic progress reports concerning strategic plan/budget status.
• Provides Board of Directors with industry trends and forecasts; works closely with others in developing and executing the strategic and business plans necessary for the development and success of the sales and service teams and is directly responsible for the development and execution of best practices in lending activities and strategies.
• Defines the precise scope, range, and limitations of credit union involvement in terms of services and geographic areas in which the credit union will operate.
• Provides strategic and/or administrative direction/management in all credit union functions, including accounting, ALM, business development, compliance, facility management, finance, human resources, investments, lending, marketing, operations, retail services, risk management, and security.
• Analyzes operating results of the credit union relative to established objectives and ensures that appropriate steps are taken to reverse unsatisfactory trends.
• Continually strives to provide the highest quality service consistent with competitive rates and the achievement of the credit union goals.
• Develops, recommends, and implements financial and lending policies/procedures to enable the credit union to meet its obligations to membership in terms of low cost loans and fair returns in dividends.
• Prepares and presents annual budget to the Board Treasurer for review and approval in October of the current year for the succeeding year; supervises a budget for the credit union, which is consistent with the overall strategic plan.
• Selects, secures, and coordinates all legal, accounting, banking, consulting, and other professional services deemed necessary, for the protection of the credit union’s assets.
• Authorizes, approves, and maintains sufficient insurance to protect and preserve credit union assets and maintains the desired image of quality, service, and professionalism.
• Operates the credit union in profitable manner, assuring that a reasonable return is realized, based on equity of ownership.
• Continually strives to maintain state-of-the-art technical knowledge of the business, products, services, and overall credit union best practices.
• Conducts new business development activities to promote growth and development of the credit union; builds positive relationships with the field of membership, within the community, and with the appropriate trade associations and organizations.
• Provides justification for all recommendations and decisions on expansion plans, capital expenditures, or major changes in policy and provides oversight and makes recommendations for plans, specifications, and agreements for the construction and/or acquisition of all credit union buildings.
• Lead by example in fostering and maintaining an open and cooperative atmosphere; provides leadership related to communication, training, general information, sharing, and support of the success of all departments.
• Resolves all business and human relation problems or grievances not satisfactorily settled at a lower level; ensures that decision making is decentralized and performed at the proper levels and that the credit union’s policies are uniformly understood and properly interpreted and administered by subordinates.
• Responsible for the selection, appointment, and retention of key management personnel, establishing standards for managerial performance; approves recommendations for staffing and/or compensation changes within in the organization.
• Conducts periodic performance reviews and salary reviews of key personnel under incumbent’s supervision, and ensures all other personnel receive a periodic review.
• Provides staff with a working environment where open communication, personal and professional growth opportunities, compassion for staff needs, empowerment to perform essential job duties, fairness, dignity, and mutual respect are priorities.
• Ensures that the growth of the credit union is in accordance with indentified goals, that the objectives are achieved through the coordination of the activities of the key managers, and through the provision of guidance and direction to these managers.
• Establishes and ensures that functional organization structure is maintained/up-to-date at all times, including organizational chart, and job descriptions for all positions.
• Assures that each of the key management personnel establishes his/her own departmental operating procedures, policies, interpreting the overall credit union policies and detailing the work methods for each functional group.
• Ensures that the credit union is in compliance with the federal laws and regulations set forth by the NCUA and other regulatory agencies.

Requirements

The fully qualified candidate will possess an established track record of successful management experience in a financial services /credit union setting; previous credit union experience and a four-year-degree ideally in Finance or Accounting preferred. The ideal candidate will have at least ten years of progressive management experience with extensive knowledge of the consumer finance industry, and three or more years in senior or executive management. The individual selected will possess a commitment to/understanding of the credit union movement.

An extensive level of trust and diplomacy is required. The incumbent must possess the ability to lead, manage, persuade, and obtain cooperation from the staff and Board of Directors. He/she will exhibit excellent member service skills and maintain the friendliest atmosphere possible in the credit union, and be highly visible within the membership and in the community. He/she must possess the ability to motivate or influence others as material part of the job, requiring a significant level of diplomacy and trust.

The individual hired will have solid experience with lending, accounting, and finance, with a generalist overview of operations, marketing, facilities, management, technology, and Board relations. The individual will have an understanding of and the ability to interpret regulatory and compliance matters affecting credit unions. This individual will have management experience in the areas of leadership, communication, team development, and coaching, and situational assessment skills. The ability to develop and maintain good relations with employees, customers, members, and the community is required.

The incumbent will be an innovative, proactive leader who can analyze trends and develop ideas for all areas of the credit union including marketing, income generation, member relations, and process improvement. This individual will assess the present business of the credit union and after evaluation findings will strategize on ways to solidify the business.

The individual must be a visionary leader who has the ability, skills, and knowledge to take the credit union into the future. He/she will instill in the staff a passion and understanding of the credit union movement and philosophy as they relate to serving members. He/she must be able to develop, recommend, and implement quality financial services, education, counseling, and procedures to best serve the organization and the members it serves.

Compensation

Buffalo Postal Community FCU will provide a competitive compensation package comprised of a base salary, bonus, and participation in a comprehensive benefits program.

Contact Information

Marisa Hinnenkamp
Director, Executive Search
HRN Management Group
380 Jackson Street, Suite 475
St. Paul, MN 55101
Direct: 651-222-5120
marisa@hrnonline.com

Pam Glubka
HRN Management Group
380 Jackson Street, Suite 475
St. Paul, MN 55101
Direct: 651-222-5127
pam@hrnonline.com

More Info

• Buffalo Postal Community Federal Credit Union